Thursday, January 7, 2016

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

The Humpback Whale sanctuary itself is an officially designated area that is located within the warm waters around each of the major Hawaiian Islands. Humpback whales in Hawaiian waters do sometimes become entangled in man-made objects, at times the whales can free themselves, at other times, the whale may find itself trapped.

Whales that are trapped or entangled in objects may be disabled to such an extent that the affected Humpback whale could suffer from starvation, drowning, or develop infections at the site of entanglement.

Educational coursework offered by the NOAA about entangled marine life was completed by each crewmember of Hawaii Oceanic.

Knowledge about who to contact, or how and when to help marine wildlife.... isn't the only goal of the NOAA; the hoped for result that the NOAA wants ultimately is that we can all reduce the risk of entanglement of all marine life.

Ocean trash that has thus far been identified by the NOAA as being the most often found to be responsible for entangling marine life is mooring gear and fishing gear.